Benjamin Appl, the baritone and former Gramophone Young Artist of the Year, has been signed by the Alpha Classics label.

As well as the title we gave him in 2016, Appl was also a membership of the BBC’s New Generation Artist, and his emerging reputation was sealed by the success of his album on Sony Classical, 'Heimat', an Editor’s Choice in May 2017, and runner-up in that year’s Gramophone Awards. His earlier album of Schubert Lieder on the Wigmore Hall Live Label had also been an Editor’s Choice, while later releases included a Bach recital with Concerto Köln (also on Sony Classical).

Now part of the Alpha family of artists, his next recording will be of Schubert’s Winterreise, recorded earlier this month with pianist James Baillieu and due for release on February 11, 2022. This release will be followed by a recital album entitled ‘Forbidden Fruit’, drawing on the works of several composers to tell the story of The Creation. Following that Appl will record an album devoted to the music of György Kurtág, and another paying tribute to his teacher and mentor, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

‘I am incredibly happy to forge a long-term future recording partnership with this outstanding and innovative independent label, where artists and their work lies at the core of everything that they do,’ said Appl. ‘This type of collaboration and mutual understanding is hard to find and is therefore deeply appreciated by artists like me who wish to develop and present recording projects which are close to my heart.’

Reflecting on the signing, Didier Martin, artistic director of Alpha Classics and CEO of Outhere Music, said: ‘Our encounter with Benjamin was completely natural and everything happened very quickly. He knew our family of artists and obviously felt close to it; he trusted us. I am delighted to have him join us and proud to champion his projects and his creativity, which is incredibly rich and motivating.’